St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-08-11

the alu OF SlSul anu ucdiluS iChSOu lai-
tered; the simple act of feeling the
touch availed me nothing. What con-
clusiOn could / arrive at but that the
touch was supernatural.
Twice upon the street l was con-
sciOus of the same strange touch, in
broad daylight, when no deception
was possible. Unable to fathom the
mystery, l waited curiOusly, yet not
without misgivings, to see what it por-
tended.
One evening, while l was seated at
my desk, DR.. Earle called; an aged
gentleman, in whose conversation
take great pleasure. Seating him COM
fOrtably i'm my easiest chair, L excused
myself a moment while completing a
letter begun before his arrival. / had
called Laura, but she had not yet come
down. Without the slightest warn
ing, as had always been the case, the
same hand was placed upon my shout
der. No longer gentle, it gripped me
firmly, as if a strong man had grasped
the flesh and squeezed it. Panied,
amazed, eager to see what this new
phase of the mystery meant, / whirled
about with arms extended. There was
nothing behind me. DR.. Earle was
quietly seated on the opposite side of
the room, glancing over the daily pa
paper.
doctor" said |, conscious that my
face was red with shame, 81 suppose
you think me crazy J"
"Crazy 2" repeated the doctor, eye
ing me curiously over his glasses.
What could say? What explana-
ton could | make l determined to
tell him the whole story, hoping to
find some parallel for it in his long ex-
perience as physician. Drawing my
chair close to him, | recited every in
cident connected with the mysterious
touch as clearly and commercially as
could. He was interested from the
beginning. When 1 had finished he
looked carefully about the room, ST.
lently regarded me with an expression
partly humorous, partly puzzled, and
then observed
"Wil you please take off your coat?
did so.
"Roll up your Sleeves" he cOntinu-
ed.
did so, wondering at the meaning
of SO remarkable procedure. Was il
one of the old gentleman's drOll con-
ceits 2 He grasped my shoulder and
squeezed it, drawing from me cry OF
pain.
"Night after night" he sagely re-
marked, frOwning, "yOu have sat by
this screen. Cool, moist air has blown
on your shoulder for hours at time
What other results could have been
expected 2" -.
"Pray, doctor, what is the result p
| asked, eagerly.
"Rheumatism," was the contentious
reply.
''And the soft, spirit-like touch 2"
"Was merely the twitching of a
muscle. The soft, spirit-like stage has
passed, and the fire and gimlet stage
comes next, unless you learn wlsdOm IN. u
81 could have embraced the old gem
tleman in my transports. With glee-
full hop, skip and jump l ran to the
door.
Laura Lauraw L called.
The poor creature came running
down the stairs as if fiend was after
her.
"What has happened ?" she gasped.
'Dr. Earle has found our ghost"
cried.
"Where is it p
"In his ARM" answered the doctor.
"My dear madam, your husband is the
first man ever met that laughed when
| told him that he had rheumatism.
hope he may continue to laugh"
"Better rheumatism than IL ghost in
the house, DOCTOR" [ ventured to say.
"Hum l don't know, sir. Of the
two, believe ghosts are the easiest
disposed Of"
"Our ghost is very effectively laid, p"
said Laura, helping me on with my
coat and smiling at the doctor.
sit only illustrates my theory" said
l. "NO so-called supernatural occur
rences will bear the light of investiga-
ton"
"NOt SO with rheumatism" observed
the doctor dryly. at will bear the
light, and it thrives on night air. Any
body can take it; but few can get rid
of it."
The old gentleman was right; |
have it yet. My opinion has under
gone a change. Given my choice be-
tween rheumatism and ghost in the
house, l would gladly welcome the
ghost.